Abstract: A convertible beverage container package having an integrated cooler compartment is provided that is sized to contain a number of cans in a box shape during transit, storage, and sale and which can be converted to a portable cooler configured to receive ice for cooling the cans contained therein. The shape of the convertible beverage container package allows a compact package for storage and transport, which can be selectively expanded to receive ice. In some cases, the received ice may surround two or more sides of the beverage cans. In one case, the shape of the convertible beverage container package may direct ice inside the package to contact the canned beverages on at least three sides.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the extraction of protein rich flour and fiber rich flour from brewer's spent grains (BSG). The extraction of protein from the BSG may include preparing the BSG by controlling the temperature in a hot grain storage system and in some cases dewatering the BSG to acceptable moisture content levels. In extracting the protein rich and fiber rich flour, the BSG is conveyed to a device that dries, mills, and fractionates the BSG into separated protein and fiber extract.

Abstract: Methods and systems of a mobile beer-dispensing system are provided. The system includes a mobile cart, a beer storage tank or container mounted to the mobile cart, a pressurization system configured to selectively force beer from the storage tank, a beer-dispensing tap, a fluid transport line configured to convey the beer from the storage tank to the tap, and an integrated cooling system that keeps the storage tank and the fluid transport lines cool.

Abstract: A method of keeping an alcoholic beverage in an open topped vessel cool, said beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content, and said method comprising forming ice in the beverage in the open-topped vessel said ice having a cooling effect on the beverage, said ice being formed in the beverage from water of said water content.

Abstract: Draft beverage is cooled in a cooling water tank in a cooling unit under a drinks bar. It is then cooled in a thermoelectric cooler, and transferred to a font in pipe which is surrounded in a water jacket of cooling water from the tank. The water jacket is connected to a further water jacket for a tube of cooling water which is also supplied to the font for cooling a glass into which the beverage will be dispensed. The waterjacket keeps the beverage in the pipe cool, but above freezing point, when it is static prior to dispense.

Abstract: An insulated and refrigerated beverage transport line provides enhanced temperature control of one or more beverages conveyed through the transport line. A plurality of coolant lines carrying a re-circulated coolant makes contact with the one or more product lines. One or more empty lines, referred to as packers, may be placed between the coolant lines and the product lines to provide a dimensionally stable and tight group of lines that are bundled together. An external insulation is provided over the bundle of lines to further enhance insulation for the beverage being transported through the product lines. At least one dedicated coolant return line may be placed remote from the other lines. The dedicated coolant return line carries the highest temperature coolant found in a beverage transport system. Independent and separate insulation of this dedicated coolant return line prevents inadvertent heat transfer to the one or more product lines.

Abstract: A beverage dispense font incorporating a portable cooling device is provided wherein the portable cooling device cools an outer housing of the dispense font in order to encourage ice formation on the dispense font. Unique visual effects can be obtained with ice formation on the outer housing of the dispense font, and the portable cooling device therefore enables independent cooling of the outer housing without redesign or modification of the existing glycol cooling system used to cool the dispensed beverage. The portable cooling device can be inherently small in size due to relatively minimal cooling capacity requirements for cooling just the outer housing of the dispense font. The dispense font and portable cooling device may be moved from location to location thereby greatly enhancing the capability to provide a frozen-appearing dispense font to many locations.

Abstract: A double walled container is provided for insulating a beverage. An outer insulating shell or container is secured to the inner container that holds the beverage. A gap exists between the outer container and inner container and the air in the gap acts as an insulating barrier. The inner container is preferably a standard aluminum container. The outer container is preferably made from aluminum or a plastic polymer.

Abstract: A container is provided with multiple surface depressions for enhancing the insulative properties of the container. The surface depressions are tightly grouped, and a label placed over the surface depressions results in a greater surface area of the label that is suspended over the depressions as compared to a surface area of the label that is in contact with the exterior surface of the container. The air gaps or chambers defining the space between the applied label and the surfaces of the depressions provides an insulating air barrier to better maintain the beverage in the container at a desired temperature. The surface depressions may also be used alone without a label to provide insulative benefits. The surface depressions may be spaced and sized such that, under normal grasping conditions, the consumer's hand does not penetrate the entire depth of the depressions, and an air barrier is still maintained between the consumer's hand and the exterior surface of the container.

Abstract: A container is provided with integral gripping features. The gripping features are preferably provided in two opposing groups located on opposite sides of the mid-section of the container. The gripping features include a plurality of finger grips that are adapted to conform to the placement of the thumb and fingers when grasping the container. The finger grips are elliptical shaped cavities, and ridges extend between each of the adjacent finger grips.